Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-03
READY FOR CONGRESS
HE CHAMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES II
AsTIR.
Seats Of Virginia Senators The Contested
Cause.-The Old Officers
Personal Kotes.
From Our Regular correspcndentl

WASHINGTON, ID. c., December o.
Everything at the Capitol is in readiness
for the Fiftieth Congress. The chambers
of both houses have been newly
carpeied and put in complete order. AS
j passed through the Senate chamber
this morning the veteran dOorkeeper,
Captain Bassett, who is now in his fifty
sixth year OF official service, pointed out
to me the seat that is to be occupied 10y
Senator Daniel. 1t is in the last row on
the Democratic side, the fourth
seat from the extreme left Of the
row, between the seats OF Senator
Pugh of Alabama and the new
senator, Bate, of Tennessee. Senator
Riddleberger will occupy his old seat on
the Republican bide of tho chamber.
The only contested seats in the Senate
will be those OF Senators Turpie of
Indiana and Faulkner of West Virginia.
1urpie hls the certificate of the Cover
nor, and viii probably be seated on that
11rimd facie. Faulkner does not hold
the Governors certificate Of his cleo
ton, bat simply his certificate of
the proceedings of the Legislature
that elected him at the special session,
the Governor holding that the Legisla-
tnre could not elect that session, and
that his appointee. Mr. Lncas, who has
the certificate, holds over until an cleo
ton by the Legislature in general ses-
sion. The precedents are said to be in
favor of Faulkner. His name. and not that
of Lucas, is printed on the list of sena-
tors distributed in the secretary's Office
Mr.. Riddleberger viii be the arbiter
OF the Senate if he so chooses. The old
members stand 25 Democrats and "a
Republicans besides Riddleberger, so that
his vote is necessary to the Republicans
to make tie on questions of organiza-
ton, such as swearing-in senators, &c.
When the new members are all sworn in
the Senate viii stand Democrats 81, Re-
publicans3S, besides Riddleberger, whose
vote, cast with the Republicans, would
make a tie and deadlock, as the President
pro tenn. has no casting vote. 1t is IN
derstOod that he favors seating both
Turpie and Faulkner.
THE OFFICERS.
About 200 members Of the House are
now here. The indications are that all
the old officers of the House will be re-
elected, but Donelson has strong oppo-
nent in Mr.. Hurt. There is a report to-
day that Mr. Raines, backed by the New
York delegation, and who has been a
candidate for the clerksbip, will with
draw from that and make an effort TO run
into the office Of doorkeeper between
Donelson and Hurt.
Messrs Carlisle and Randall have had
several conferences 10 the last few days,
and Democrats generally believe now
that a compromise satisfactory to both
wings of the party will be arranged and
carried through the House.
THE VIRGINIA CASES.
There is great interest felt here as to
the decision of the Supreme Court, ex-
pected next Monday, in the haJe0s cor
puS case of the State officers. saw Mr..
Tucker to- day. He is very hopeful and
says 81 anticipate a decision which
will protect the immunity Of the State
from such proceedings as virtually vio-
lation of the eleventh amendment of the
Constitution. The case goes 50 far be-
yond anything ever yet sanctioned by
the Supreme Court that it is expected,
with great confidence, that the imprl-
sonment of the officers of Virginia will be
declared unlawful and the whole pro
cecdings of Judge Bond held beyond his
Judicial authority"
Superintendent Nash, of the Railway
Mail Service division. has prepared re-
port on the petition for additional mail
service between Richmond and Danville
presented by Colonel Cowardin, of the
DiSp0tch, at the Post Office Department
yesterday. The report is adverse to adj
ditional service.